The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Martin L. Gelshenen (MCSN: 0-32882), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Platoon Officer attached to Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. During an assault on a strongly held hostile position, Second Lieutenant Gelshenen led his platoon across an open field under intense Japanese artillery and small-arms fire and, reaching the base of the enemy-held cliff, quickly reorganized his platoon and commenced the ascent of the cliff under heavy enemy opposition. As he led his platoon up through numerous ravines, the Japanese fired an intense barrage of various caliber weapons, inflicting heavy casualties on the platoon. Undeterred by the savage opposition, he reorganized his depleted force for continuing the advance to the summit, and while so doing was severely wounded by shrapnel. Refusing to be evacuated despite serious loss of blood, he led his platoon on through newly chosen approaches, routing the Japanese and advancing to the crest. Mortally wounded by hostile small-arms fire while attempting to establish contact with the units on his flanks, Second Lieutenant Gelshenen, by his indomitable courage in the face of grave danger, had rendered valiant service and his conduct throughout upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.